The 2023/24 Ashanti Regional Inter-school Boys’ Soccer Competition continued on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, with quarterfinal fixtures at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
However, the day commenced with one of the round of 16 fixtures, which was postponed to Monday due to time constraints. Opoku Ware School got eliminated through a penalty shootout after a goalless draw.
The quarterfinal fixtures started with Prempeh College thrashing Fast Track SHS 4-1 to advance to the semifinals, putting up an impressive display.
The competition will continue on Wednesday, January 17, with semifinals at the same venue.
Justice Blay has signed a new contract with Asante Kotoko, keeping him at the club until January 2025.
Blay joined Kotoko initially on loan in the 2019-2020 season, making 25 appearances, scoring two goals with three assists. The defensive linchpin soon became a fan favorite with his consistent performances. However, a permanent move for him couldn’t materialize due to his then parent club’s inability to reach an agreement with Kotoko.
The hard-tackling and workaholic midfielder has since made 49 appearances in his two stints after securing a permanent move in 2022, winning the Premier League.
Though a defensive midfielder, Blay has slotted in as a member of Ogum’s three back system, with eight appearances to his credit.
The 31-year- old current contract was due to expire at the end of the month but has put pen to paper for a further year with an option to renew for another year.
“I am happy to have renewed my stay. Kotoko means everything to me and my family. I appreciate the support of everyone in the club, the head coach and the entire management team. And like I have done before in the past, I will continue to do even better.” He told the club’s media.
The 2023/24 Ashanti Regional Inter-school Boys’ Soccer Competition continued today with a round of 16 fixtures at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
Defending Champions Simms SHS were eliminated by Fast Track SHS after a scoreless draw.
Two-time Champions Kumasi High School, despite taking the lead, failed to progress to the next stage after suffering elimination at the hands of Our Lady of Grace SHS (OLAG), who secured a 6-5 victory in the penalty shootout.
The match between OKESS and OWASS has been postponed due to time constraints. It will be played on Tuesday morning at exactly 8 a.m.
Scores at a glance;
Fast Track 0-0 Simms SHS
*Fast Track wins 5-3 on penalties
Prempeh College 0-0 Mankranso SHS *Prempeh wins 4-3 on penalties
Sakafia 1-1 KOSS
*Sakafia wins 5-4 on penalties
T.I. AMASS 1-0 Asanteman
OLAG 1-1 Kumasi High School
*OLAG wins 6-5 on penalties.
KASS 0-0 Osei Tutu
*KASS won 7:6 on penalties
St. Michael’s 0-0 Adu Gyamfi SHS
*Adu Gyamfi won 4-3 on penalties
Quarter finals Fixtures – Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Abdul Fatawu Safiu has joined Kotoko on a contract running until January 2026.
The 2019 best player and top scorer of the NC’S special competition returns following stints with Trelleborgs FF and FC Trollhättan of Sweden.
Safiu first featured for his boyhood club in the 2018-2019 season, scoring 13 goals in sixteen appearances, including some spectaculars in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The forward’s return forms part of Coach Prosper Narteh’s aim of securing a return to the CAF Champions League.
Speaking to the club’s website, the forward said:
“I am very excited about this opportunity,” he said.
“Everyone knows Kotoko is the club that I support and as a youngster it was my dream to play for Kotoko and to get that opportunity twice makes me feel lucky and ready to do everything to help the team.”
Asante Kotoko have announced the signing of right-back, Emmanuel Kotei from Nsoatreman FC on a three-year deal.
The 26-year-old arrives with Premier League experience from his previous stint with Tamale City.
The attacking full-back showcased his talent and potential while playing for both Nsoatreman and Tamale City, making 47 appearances for both clubs since the start of the 2022/23 season.
Kotei, who has been on the radar of the club’s scouting team, becomes our first signing of the second transfer window.
The Kumasi born couldn’t hide his excitement during his unveiling.
“Kotoko is every player’s dream and, finally, mine has been realized. As a local boy, having the opportunity to wear our colours means everything to me.” He told the club’s media.
The players are currently resting following the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Hearts of Oak has completed the signing of their newest goalkeeper, Kwesi Nketiah.
The young goalkeeper from Susubribi FC has joined the club on a two-and-a-half-year deal and has already been welcomed with open arms by the Phobia community.
Nketiah’s addition to the team’s goalkeeping department comes as good news as the club continues to strengthen that department ahead of the resumption of the second round of the Ghana Premier League.
Nketiah, who hails from the Central Region of Ghana, started his football career at a young age at Soccer Intellectuals before moving to Avenue Soccer Academy and then to Susubiribi FC where he made steady progress. He caught the eye of many with his impressive performances for Susbiribi FC. Nketiah’s talent and potential were evident, and it was only a matter of time before he got his big break.
The 21-year-old shot-stopper’s journey to Hearts of Oak was not an easy one. He had to be observed by scouts before finally impressing the technical team and earning a spot in the team’s goalkeeping department. Nketiah’s signing has been hailed as a significant move for the club, considering his physique and intelligence in goal.
Nketiah’s arrival brings hope and excitement to the club and its fans. He is a young and talented goalkeeper with a strong presence in the box. His agility, reflexes, and shot-stopping abilities have been praised by many who have observed him.
Nketiah’s signing also adds depth to the club’s goalkeeping department, which will create healthy competition among the goalkeepers and push them to improve.
Nketiah’s signing is not only significant for Hearts of Oak, but it also reflects the club’s commitment to nurturing young talents. His signing has brought a renewed sense of hope and optimism to the Hearts of Oak camp. The young goalkeeper’s addition to the team’s goalkeeping department is a step in the right direction.
Nketiah will wear his favourite jersey number “1” with the inscription at the back “ NKETIAH”.
Black Stars forward Jordan Ayew says the team’s lack of experience played a role in Ghana’s loss to Cape Verde.
He said this in a post game chat after Ghana lost 1-2 to Cape Verde in the Stars opening game of the 2023 AFCON in Cote D’Ivoire.
Ghana drew level through Alexander Djiku’s header off a Jordan Ayew cross in the 56th minute after Jamiro Monteiro put Cape Verde up 1-0 in the 17th minute. Black Stars head coach Chris Hughton stated in his presser that conceding the early goal rocked his team.
A defensive howler from the Stars got Garry Rodrigues to sweep the ball into the net in the 92nd minute for the winner and according to Jordan Ayew, inexperience played a big role in the loss.
“We lack a lot of experience…at the end of the day if you look at the squad that we have, more than 10 (players), this is their first AFCON so this type of mistakes will happen and we need to learn and we need to learn quick because the AFCON is not waiting for anyone…we need to stand up and face the reality.”
Ghana plays Egypt next on Thursday, January 18; Egypt drew 2-2 with Mozambique.
Garry Rodrigues scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as the Cape Verde Islands beat four-time champions Ghana 2-1 in Group B to continue Sunday’s sequence of surprise results at the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
It was the third match of the day in Abidjan and followed Nigeria’s draw with Equatorial Guinea in Group A while Egypt needed a last-gasp penalty to draw with Mozambique in the opening Group B match at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium.
Cape Verde went ahead in the 17th minute when Dutch-born Rodrigues’s shot was parried by Ghana goalkeeper Richard Ofori, falling for Jamiro Monteiro to tuck away from close range.
Ghana thought they had equalised 10 minutes before halftime when Majeed Ashimeru struck a powerful shot into the net from outside Cape Verde’s penalty area.
But after a VAR check it was disallowed because Ransford Konigsdorffer, in an offside position, was deemed to be interfering by being in the goalkeeper’s line of sight.
Konigsdorffer was making his way back after inadvertently striking the upright when a punched clearance from Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha hit him flush on and cannoned back towards goal.
Ghana did find parity 11 minutes into the second half with Alexander Djiku heading home from Jordan Ayew’s corner, bending down to get his head to the ball as the islanders’ defence failed to clear an innocuous delivery.
The Black Stars might well have gone ahead with Joseph Paintsil narrowly missing out at the back post after being teed up by Antoine Semenyo.
But after that chances repeatedly fell Cape Verde’s way.
Djiku made a goal-line clearance to deny Bebe 20 minutes from time while Rodrigues was twice denied in the last 10 minutes.
The breakthrough came in stoppage time after Mohammed Salisu failed to clear and a clever touch from debutant substitute Gilson Benchimol took it past Ofori and into Rodrigues’s path.
Ghana veteran Dede Ayew came on with 28 minutes left to mark his participation in his eighth Cup of Nations tournament, equalling the record held by Cameroon’s Rigobert Song and Egyptian Ahmed Hassan.
The earlier Group B game saw Mohamed Salah convert a stoppage-time penalty to spare Egypt’s blushes in a 2-2 draw with Mozambique, playing at their first finals since 2010.
Ghana meet Egypt next on Thursday while Cape Verde take on Mozambique on Friday, both at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium.
Chris Hughton has named Salisu Mohammed and Antoine Semenyo in his starting line up for Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations group B opener against Cape Verde.
Salisu who plays for AS Monaco, will be making his first competitive appearance for the Black Stars since the World Cup game against Uruguay in Qatar.
He will partner Alexander Djiku in central defence, while, Gideon Mensah and Denis Odoi operate as full backs.
Baba Iddrisu and Majeed Ashimeru will work in the heart of the pitch. On the wings are Jordan Ayew and Joseph Painstil.
Richard Ofori maintains his place in post. Antoine Semenyo leads the attack, while Ransford Yeboah Koningsdoffer plays in the hole behind Semenyo.
The game is scheduled for 8pm kick off at stade Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium.
